waynohh wrote:Wow, so much effort if you have spoke holes to worry about! No wonder the take up is so slow...

Well it isn't really a effort...just a couple of minutes to roll two turns of the spoke tape around the rim...the issue is that the spoke tape is difficult to source and more expensive than it needs to be...no doubt that will change in time...

I mentioned a couple of days ago that I had a puncture (but not a flat), and the hole continued to spatter sealant on the frame intermittently during the remainder of the ride. As the hole was not tiny, I wondered if I might need to to put a patch on the inside of the tyre. I left the wheel with the hole at the bottom overnight and today I did a short 32km ride and had no sealant escaping.

That is now two punctures that have sealed themselves and haven't required further action except to top up the air the the next day in the most recent case.

Armadillo's are $60, last around 2,500km and I'd get two or three punctures in that time, often with the holes next to seams in the rubber making them difficult to patch. The Krylion Carbons are ~$55 and get around the same puncture rate. So call is $55-$60 + $14 in tubes (2 tubes) + $6 in CO2, vs. $63 for a tubeless and about $1.50 in sealant. Assuming I wear the tyre out at about the same distance... I'm ahead financially PLUS I miss out on roadside repairs. Which, with damp/wet roads being pretty common for the next three months, were going to be a more common problem.

BTW - I'm only going to run tubeless in the rear (for now). I've only had two front punctures in two years.

I was referring to the fact that you're prepared to have a front tyre puncture, which is potentially more dangerous than a rear tyre one. Of course, the probability of having that puncture is very low and is not increased by having a tubeless tyre on the rear.

This thread has kept me coming back. A great thread, indeed. Unfortunately it may be a few months before I get a chance to go tubeless myself. However, in the mean time I would really like to know if anyone discovers a place to buy Intensives for a good price. Preferably in 25c.

MountGower wrote:This thread has kept me coming back. A great thread, indeed. Unfortunately it may be a few months before I get a chance to go tubeless myself. However, in the mean time I would really like to know if anyone discovers a place to buy Intensives for a good price. Preferably in 25c.

I mentioned yesterday that a puncture I received on the weekend had sealed itself, and that I had since done a 32km ride without any leakage...today as it was a little wet outdoors, I did a spin on the rollers. After about 4km the hole started spitting sealant again. So it was off with the tyre and I fitted a patch to the inside. The hole was similar in size to a hole that one would patch in a normal clincher anyway. The rollers obviously were too much for the sealant, probably due to all the weight being on such a small suface area causing considerable tyre distortion.

I did have a close inspection of the rear tyre and noticed several slices along the tread. The slices are not very deep and I suspect are from locking the rear wheel on a couple of occasion while braking down a steep hill. This indicates to me that the Hutchison Fusion2 tubeless are not as robust as the GP4000S's that I used previously, which didn't show this type of wear.

The Hutchison Intensive would probably be a better alternative for commuting purposes (if one could find them). According to their website they have increased wearability and puncture resistance over the Fusion 2.

Rollers and trainers put significantly more stress on a tyre than riding on the road. Some of the manufacturers make a tyre specifically for use with trainers. I'll also be looking out for the 'Intensive' when it becomes available through the online shops.

Boys and girls, I can't tell you how happy I am to have found this topic...

Tonight I realized that out of the 4 tubes I've replaced this year, 3 attempts were unsuccessful. Tonight was no different! I put a new tube in the back and as soon as I had the wheel back on the bike, it went "pooffff" and I felt the air escaping past my face. SUX!!! I am Mr clumsy/unhandy himself.

So I'll get one more tube this week, but start sourcing what I need to go tubeless. There is hope for me after all

Nice work there .I notice there are a lot of wheels promoting "2 way fit" now....the change is coming.But will say they do need to get a very robust tyre on the market because I wouldn't call Fusion 2's overly tough.They are a race tyre and are not really suited to training or commuting.I have been training for a while on older ones and haven't had them last long.

Okay, I was at the LBS today to pick up 2 new tubes. They said the tubeless system (Stan's) is only available on high-end racing bikes and not on my Giant Elwood SE (Hybrid) and that I'd have to replace the whole wheel, which is pretty expensive!!

justD wrote:Okay, I was at the LBS today to pick up 2 new tubes. They said the tubeless system (Stan's) is only available on high-end racing bikes and not on my Giant Elwood SE (Hybrid) and that I'd have to replace the whole wheel, which is pretty expensive!!

I have already replaced my tyres with Armadillo 700x28c and on the Hutchinson Fusion 2 info page on Wiggle they mention 700 x 28C, so surely that means they'll fit?

Thanks for the info waynohh and everyone so far.

The fusion 2 Tubeless only come in 700x23...you may have been looking at the standard Fusion 2 which is not tubeless...also note the sizing chart on Wiggle states that not all tyres come in the sizes mentioned...

CoffsGal wrote:...also note the sizing chart on Wiggle states that not all tyres come in the sizes mentioned...

Yep, I thought the "Sizing Information" chart on that page was all the sizes that the tubeless tyre comes in. Sux bigtime!!

Well, at least I got a normal tube into my wheel tonight without ripping it apart. This is my handywork on a brand new tube last night:

Also, I've learnt that I have a car valve on the back and a french valve (?) on the front and french valve as a spare. Spare would not be much use if I got a flat on the back as I don't have an extra little fitting to make the french valve fit on my rims... So we learn.

Guess I'll just have to keep practicing with changing tyres. What are my alternatives? What's the strongest/most glass resistent tyre/tube I can get for a 700x35c?Actually, I'll do a bit of searching and I need to understand tyre sizes - guess there might be something out there for me still.

Seems like there is hope for me afterall - here's a 700x35c from noTubes.com - http://www.notubes.com/product_info.php/products_id/441.What drives me up the wall, is the well-known LBS who told me I can't get it on my wheel size, is listed as a dealer for Dirt Works Australia, who distributes NoTubes' products. Why don't they say they're not certain instead of leading me to believe that I'll have to replace my rims?

Seems like there is hope for me afterall - here's a 700x35c from noTubes.com - http://www.notubes.com/product_info.php/products_id/441.What drives me up the wall, is the well-known LBS who told me I can't get it on my wheel size, is listed as a dealer for Dirt Works Australia, who distributes NoTubes' products. Why don't they say they're not certain instead of leading me to believe that I'll have to replace my rims?

The tyre you have linked to is a cylocross type...it will fit your rims but wont have the best rolling properties for road use...it has a maximum pressure of 45psi which is a very low maximum...unless you are doing a majority of kms off road this probably wont be a good choice...

Maybe get some tuition on tyre and tube fitting and you will be ok with standard tubed clinchers...there is lots of info on the net or ask your local bike club, LBS, BUG etc...